Volleyball: Fighting Saints get taller and faster – West Central Tribune

KERKHOVEN — There will be many new faces involved with the Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg volleyball team this fall.

KMS, which finished 5-6 in the Camden Conference and 12-17 overall in 2023, graduated six seniors and has a new head coach for the upcoming season: Tami Ruf. She has 25 years of experience as a volleyball coach.

“We have more height this year than in previous years, so we’re hoping to capitalize on that by running a faster offense,” Ruf said. “We have a strong senior class that has been playing together for a long time, along with some talented junior players. We have depth on our bench, so we can change things up if we need to.”

Although the Fighting Saints have graduated All-Camden setter Olivia Noble, three key players are back in the starting lineup.

Emily Wagner, Abby Holtkamp and Savannah Petersen are back for their senior year.

Wagner is a 5-foot-6 outside hitter who had 113 kills and 55 ace serves last season. Holtkamp is a 5-4 libero who had 338 digs and 27 ace serves last season. Petersen is a 5-8 middle/outside hitter who had 108 kills as a junior.

Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune

After taking a year off from volleyball in 2023, senior Maddie Luft has returned to the Fighting Saints and is 6-1.

“Maddie will play a major role in the net as well as us, hitting and blocking,” Ruf said.

Ava Noble will take over the setting duties for KMS. According to Ruf, the junior has a good connection with her hitters.

Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune

Ruf said Faith Duke is another junior to watch. She will give the Fighting Saints versatility on the court, as she can attack from any position.

“To be competitive in our conference, we have to stay focused and determined and minimize our mistakes,” Ruf said.

Ruf will have the following assistant coaches at her side: Maddie Carlson, Sammy Gjerde, Caitlin Nichols, Lydia Aafedt and Ellie Trowbridge.